SAN FRANCISCO — Eleven months have passed since the Rockies took up residence in the gated community where the Broncos have long lived.
Colorado woke up an entire region to baseball again, a reminder of the days of 80,000 fans elbowing into Mile High Stadium and fans selling cookies outside of Coors Field to raise money for Dante Bichette’s next contract.
Eleven months removed from reaching their World Series berth, the Rockies’ purpose this year has seemingly been to define somebody else’s greatness. That’s a polite way to say they have lived down to expectations.
But while this season has been puzzling, it is not without merit. In winning 4-2 Monday night over the San Francisco Giants, their 12th road victory in their last 17 games, the Rockies continue to provide sports’ most important marketing tool.
Hope.
They left behind a city consumed with talk about health care, economic reform and unity trying to address decidedly unworldly, but important issues. Namely the resurrection of their ace and the maturation of their kids.
Colorado can’t contend for its first-ever National League West title without a healthy and effective Jeff Francis.
His transformation from wobbly starter to trusted anchor is underway. He surrendered just two earned runs over seven innings, winning for the first time since June 18. In his last three games, he has reintroduced his curveball, thrown inside more to right-handers and demonstrated confidence in his changeup. Not surprisingly, he hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of those games.
“I have always been told this is a pitcher’s park, but when first got into the league didn’t believe it,” Francis said. “I feel better even though I always fee like I am out there battling. It’s not easy to get outs.”
Nobody thought Francis, the opening-day starter, would have three wins entering Monday. A shoulder injury, however, prevented him from throwing in-between starts before he ultimately landed on the disabled list on July 3, missing 34 games.
“He holds so much inside. I didn’t have any idea how much his shoulder was bothering him,” pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. “Now, he’s starting to look like the old Jeff Francis.”
Francis fell behind 2-0 after a sloppy first inning. But Ian Stewart, Troy Tulowitzki and catcher Yorvit Torrealba propped him up. Torrealba delivered a swing so hard it could have tenderized meat, swatting a 92-mph Matt Cain fastball into the left-field seats, tying the score 2-all.
“I hit it good,” nodded Torrealba in approving fashion.
Then the future took over. Stewart, second only to Albert Pujols in average in the second half, displayed the kind of glove that makes it hard not imagine him playing third next season. With bases-loaded in the third inning and no outs, Stewart darted to his left and made a pirouette as he forced out Matt Cain at the plate. He finished off the Giants by turning a double play on the next pitch.
“I have always said that third is a reaction position and that’s pretty much what I did I that situation,” Stewart said. “I knew the pitcher was at third so I didn’t have to rush it. It turned out to be a big play.”
Tulowitzki, a bit perplexed at his recent playing time and eighth spot in the lineup, showed why he’s considered a cornerstone. He tripled the go-ahead run home in the fourth, and played defense with attitude. As Francis rifled 85-mph fastballs to the plate, Tulowitzki threw roughly 90-mph darts to first, none more stunning than his relay on an eighth-inning double play that splatted first baseman Garrett Atkins’ glove.
“He always makes it look like he’s throwing hard than pitcher,” Stewart said. “But he’s so accurate nobody never says anything about it.”
It was just one win. But it created more reasons for hope.
Footnotes.
Reliever Matt Herges, out with a bulging disc in his back, threw a successful side session Monday. He is scheduled to throw another one Wednesday, and barring any setbacks, will join the Triple-A team in Las Vegas for a show rehab assignment. … Willy Taveras wasn’t surprised by the call, but the throw when was erased attempting to steal in the third inning. “It was right on the bag. When I went to the plat the next time, I told (Bengie) Molina that it was a great throw.” … Reliever Manny Corpas slightly turned his ankle in the eighth inning trying to cover first on a groundball. Said Corpas, “I am fine. I always hit my foot on the bag funny.” … First baseman Todd Helton, out since July 3 with an irritated disc in his back, has joined the Rockies on this road trip. There’s a chance he will hit soon, though there’s no timetable on his return. … Giants manager Bruce Bochy on Francis” outing, “He pitched a good ballgame for them. We had him on the ropes and he got out of it with a couple of groundballs. That double play was probably the difference in the game. Give him credit, he pitched well.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
TODAY: Rockies at Giants, 8:15 p.m., FSN
On talent alone, Jorge De La Rosa (6-7, 5.86 ERA) fits the profile of a fourth starter. But the Rockies would be better off if he enters spring training competing for the final spot, which would speak to better depth. Consistency is critical for De La Rosa, who has posted a 12.21 ERA in his losses. Catcher Chris Iannetta believes De La Rosa has turned his greatest weaknesslack of mound composure — into a strength. Matt Palmer (0-0, 8.64) has never faced the Rockies.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Wednesday:
Rockies’ Livan Hernandez (11-10, 6.28) vs. Giants’ Tim Lincecum (14-3, 2.48), 8:15 p.m., FSN
Thursday:
Off day
Friday:
Rockies’ Aaron Cook (15-8, 3.91) vs. Padres’ Dirk Hayhurst (0-0, 6.75), 8:05 p.m., FSN
Saturday:
Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (9-11, 3.95) vs. Padres’ Josh Banks (3-6, 4.75), 8:05 p.m., FSN
